Potassium Sorbate Particle Granulation Using Sorbitol Binder

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing potassium sorbate particles face challenges with poor binding and spheronization effects, leading to non-uniform granulation and difficulties in handling and transportation due to limited fluidity and susceptibility to moisture and oxidation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of a potassium sorbate solution, followed by spray drying, spray forming with a sorbitol binder, indirect drying in a vibration fluidized bed, and swing-type sifting, which controls particle size and binding properties, enhancing the spheronization and granulation uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If water is used as binder during granulation, then binding force is increased, but spheronization effect deteriorates due to insufficient binding strength for high-speed rolling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding forceVSAvoidspheronization effect
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder by replacing water with sorbitol solution. Sorbitol provides appropriate粘性和binding strength that enables both granulation and spheronization processes to work effectively together, resolving the contradiction between binding force and spheronization quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Sorbitol acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the powder particles during granulation and spheronization. It provides the right balance of binding strength and flexibility, allowing particles to bind during granulation while still permitting the deformation needed for spherical formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If binding effect of powder particles is increased, then granulation effect improves, but breaking effect during spheronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranulation effectVSAvoidbreaking effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the binding parameters by using sorbitol solution instead of water, creating a binder with optimal viscosity and binding characteristics. This allows particles to bind sufficiently for granulation while maintaining enough flexibility to break and reshape during spheronization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sorbitol-based binder provides dynamic binding characteristics that adapt to different process stages: it provides strong binding during granulation and allows controlled breaking during spheronization, enabling the material to respond differently to mechanical forces at different stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If powder is used directly, then production process is simple, but handling and transportation deteriorate due to poor fluidity and dust emission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process complexityVSAvoidhandling and transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the production process into distinct stages: granulation to form preliminary particles, spheronization to create spherical shapes, and drying to finalize the product. This segmentation transforms poor-quality powder into uniform spherical particles with improved handling characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces simple mixing with a multi-stage mechanical process involving granulation, spheronization, and drying. This mechanical transformation system converts difficult-to-handle powder into easy-to-handle spherical particles with controlled size and reduced dust emission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If granulation is performed without proper binder, then process simplicity is maintained, but granulation uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidgranulation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Sorbitol solution serves as an intermediary binder that facilitates uniform granulation. It provides consistent binding properties that ensure uniform particle formation throughout the granulation process, improving granulation uniformity while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the binder parameters by using sorbitol solution with specific concentration and properties. This parameter optimization ensures uniform binding across all particles, leading to consistent granulation results without complicating the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method achieves improved binding and spheronization effects, resulting in more uniform and stable potassium sorbate particles with enhanced handling and storage properties.

Implementation Method 1

spray drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

vibration fluidized bed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 3

indirectly drying with steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10016734B2Method of producing potassium sorbate particles
Publication Date: 2018.07.10 NINGBO WANGLONG TECH

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method of producing potassium sorbate particles, comprising the steps of:(1) preparing a potassium sorbate solution;(2) spray drying;(3) spray forming;(4) indirectly drying with steam on a vibration fluidized bed; and(5) swing-type sifting;in step (3), a binder is obtained by spray drying after adding sorbitol to the potassium sorbate solution prepared in step (1), and the binder is mixed with the potassium sorbate powder obtained by spray drying in step (2) to undergo the spray forming process;based on weight ratio, the weight ratio of the sorbitol required to prepare the binder to the potassium sorbate solution required to prepare the binder is 0.05-0.1%:1.The beneficial effects of the present invention are: an appropriate binding effect of the powder particles, a good breaking effect and a good spheronization effect of the powder particles, and uniformity of granulation.